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Recent rumors and gossip about NBAen-usTyronn Lue taking leave of absence for health reasonsTyronn Lue is taking a leave of absence from his job as the Cavaliers’ head coach for health reasons, he announced today in a statement. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link), Lue had been considering this option for several weeks, but had resisted until now. Associate head coach Larry Drew will take over for Lue on an interim basis, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“After many conversations with our doctors and [GM] Koby [Altman] and much thought given to what is best for the team and my health, I need to step back from coaching for the time being and focus on trying to establish a stronger and healthier foundation from which to coach for the rest of the season,” Lue said in a statement. “I have had chest pains and other troubling symptoms, compounded by a loss of sleep, throughout the year. Despite a battery of tests, there have been no conclusions as to what the exact issue is."
“While I have tried to work through it, the last thing I want is for it to affect the team,” Lue continued. “I am g19 Mar 2018 20:11:08 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/tyronn_lue_taking_leave_of_absence_for_health_reasons/s1_14822_25982033
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/tyronn_lue_taking_leave_of_absence_for_health_reasons/s1_14822_25982033Tyronn Lue taking leave of absence for health reasonshttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/tyronn_lue_taking_leave_of_absence_for_health_reasons/s1_14822_25982033http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/6/96a1a881b17fa94bfb1b83b1d8be00c813b5ddd8/top_story/10538335.jpgGregg Popovich reflects on ‘frustrating season’ for SpursThings have not gone as planned this season for the San Antonio Spurs, the NBA’s unparalleled model franchise for over two decades. But Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is trying to put a positive spin on a season that saw injuries — especially to Kawhi Leonard — among other things, somewhat derail what was expected to be yet another standout campaign. “It’s been a frustrating season,” Popovich said, via ESPN. “But the challenges have pulled a lot of people closer. You have to do different things to try to stay afloat. It’s been rewarding, as counterintuitive as that sounds.”The curmudgeonly Popovich is clearly taking a philosophical approach to this season’s setbacks and struggles. Pop also made note of how injuries have allowed less-heralded players on the roster a shot in the spotlight.“The way they reach out to each other and stay good teammates while the lineups have constantly changed, they’ve shown a lot of empathy and patience with each other in that regard,” Popovich said. “And I think that has allowe19 Mar 2018 15:43:38 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/gregg_popovich_reflects_on_frustrating_season_for_spurs/s1_8061_25982276
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/gregg_popovich_reflects_on_frustrating_season_for_spurs/s1_8061_25982276Gregg Popovich reflects on ‘frustrating season’ for Spurshttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/gregg_popovich_reflects_on_frustrating_season_for_spurs/s1_8061_25982276http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/d/edb1d86c9d25c0b4774ccca420a8d783330c1f6e/top_story/10715926.jpgBecky Hammon turns down Colorado St. to remain with SpursBecky Hammon has turned down a big opportunity in favor of remaining with the San Antonio Spurs.Yahoo Sports’ Pat Forde reported on Saturday that Hammon has turned down the Colorado State men’s basketball head coaching job. Instead, Hammon will remain as an assistant with the Spurs. Colorado State is looking for a new coach after getting rid of Larry Eustachy after they grew alarmed with the way he was running the program.Hammon had the opportunity to become the first female head coach of a Men’s Division I basketball program. She was an All-American player for Colorado State during her career from 1995-1999. Last year she turned down interest from Florida in their women’s coaching job.19 Mar 2018 01:07:21 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/becky_hammon_turns_down_colorado_state_to_remain_with_spurs/s1_127_25974212
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/becky_hammon_turns_down_colorado_state_to_remain_with_spurs/s1_127_25974212Becky Hammon turns down Colorado St. to remain with Spurshttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/becky_hammon_turns_down_colorado_state_to_remain_with_spurs/s1_127_25974212http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/7/d73a7dfa88ac5e53512d5dc88c1613946578a303/top_story/10532778.jpgRefs escorted off floor after controversial Raptors-Thunder endingOfficiating controversies continue to be a black eye for the NBA this season.The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Toronto Raptors on Sunday 132-125, but the end of the game was marred by some questionable refereeing decisions. A series of perceived no-calls down the stretch of the contest caused Toronto’s frustration to boil over, and Serge Ibaka, DeMar DeRozan, and coach Dwane Casey were all ejected in quick succession in the last ten seconds. Casey’s tossing (the final one of the three) seemed particularly egregious, as the referees appeared to eject him when it was actually a fan who yelled at them. As the game went final, the officiating crew of Marc Davis, Brent Barnaky, Haywoode Workman had to be escorted off the floor by security amidst the jeers of an angered home crowd at the Air Canada Centre. For his part, Casey had this to say afterwards, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports. The loss snapped an 11-game winning streak for the Eastern Conference-leading Raptors. They are also far from the first team to e19 Mar 2018 01:06:53 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/referees_escorted_off_floor_after_controversial_raptors_thunder_ending/s1_127_25976684
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/referees_escorted_off_floor_after_controversial_raptors_thunder_ending/s1_127_25976684Refs escorted off floor after controversial Raptors-Thunder endinghttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/referees_escorted_off_floor_after_controversial_raptors_thunder_ending/s1_127_25976684http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/8/184fc0dc508b3567a84cc2e31c734200254a570c/top_story/GettyImages-933729424.jpgRondo: Ray Allen just seeking attention with new bookRay Allen’s new autobiography included some unflattering anecdotes about Rajon Rondo, and the point guard is firing back.In his upcoming book “From The Outside: My Journey Through Life and the Game I Love,” Allen alleged that the Boston Celtics were ready to trade Rondo to the New Orleans Hornets for Chris Paul, but that coach Doc Rivers didn’t want to foist Rondo on his close friend, New Orleans coach Monty Williams.Allen also claimed Rondo told Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Allen himself that he had been the one to carry Boston to the 2008 title.Rondo, when told of the stories, didn’t hold back about Allen.“He just wants attention,” Rondo said, via Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. “I need actually some sales from [the book], only [publicity] it’s been getting is from my name. I need some percentage or something. His people contact my people or something. The only pub I’ve been hearing about is when he mentions my name.“Obviously that man is hurting. I don’t know if it’s financially, I don’t know if it’s19 Mar 2018 01:06:43 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/rajon_rondo_accuses_ray_allen_of_seeking_attention_over_new_book/s1_127_25977116
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/rajon_rondo_accuses_ray_allen_of_seeking_attention_over_new_book/s1_127_25977116Rondo: Ray Allen just seeking attention with new bookhttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/rajon_rondo_accuses_ray_allen_of_seeking_attention_over_new_book/s1_127_25977116http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/c/8c6340f8d5adad9e081472fc2699ef772ee44cce/top_story/GettyImages-142648725.jpgFrank Vogel’s job in jeopardy in Orlando?With the Magic wrapping up another lost season, there’s a sense in Orlando that it could be the last one for coach Frank Vogel, writes Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel.Vogel is 50-102 in nearly two full years with the Magic, operating against a background of change. The team replaced GM Rob Hennigan and cleared out several other members of the basketball operations department last summer. New team president Jeff Weltman and GM John Hammond may prefer to select their own coach this offseason.Neither would comment about the situation to Robbins, but speculation has been growing as Orlando quickly fell out of contention after an 8-4 start. When they assumed their new jobs, Weltman and Hammond said they planned to make this a season of evaluation, both for the roster and the coaching staff. Vogel signed a four-year contract in the summer of 2016, but the fourth season is a team option that hasn’t been exercised.Robbins notes that the Magic made two important personnel errors that summer that left Vogel with a18 Mar 2018 12:43:33 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/frank_vogels_job_in_jeopardy_in_orlando/s1_14822_25975100
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/frank_vogels_job_in_jeopardy_in_orlando/s1_14822_25975100Frank Vogel’s job in jeopardy in Orlando?http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/frank_vogels_job_in_jeopardy_in_orlando/s1_14822_25975100http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/5/e53f625322d2319f2f0656bc5404a230a01332e1/top_story/10691702.jpgThe Cavs are worried about Tyronn Lue’s healthThe Cleveland Cavaliers certainly have problems on the court. But LeBron James and company have other worries as well. For instance, the health of head coach Tyronn Lue. In fact, the ailments are getting more worrisome.“I mean, he’s the captain of the ship, so absolutely. We worry about his health, obviously. That’s way more important than this game of basketball. We know he’s been doing everything he needs to do to stay healthy. Take even more measures to get himself right. Everything that’s been going on with our year, it’s just another one.”And while Lue didn’t speak after Saturday’s game, assistant Larry Drew would. However, he didn’t offer up much.“I’m not sure exactly what it is. I just know that before coming out in the second half, he wasn’t feeling well. And I thought that there was a chance that he would (eventually) come out, but he just wasn’t well enough to come out, so we had to just go on.”It’s the second time this season in which Lue has left the game early. In the meantime, Lue’s Cavs are 40-18 Mar 2018 10:07:27 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/the_cavs_are_worried_about_tyronn_lues_health/s1_11773_25974329
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/the_cavs_are_worried_about_tyronn_lues_health/s1_11773_25974329The Cavs are worried about Tyronn Lue’s healthhttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/the_cavs_are_worried_about_tyronn_lues_health/s1_11773_25974329http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/7/67896de83dc7d322a7cd4f6c5c1008d653738006/top_story/10682020.jpgGentry rips official in loss to RocketsAlvin Gentry probably doesn’t mind that a fine likely awaits him. But after his Pelicans fell to the Rockets Saturday (107-101), he couldn’t take it anymore. Instead, insisting that Anthony Davis doesn’t get calls.“The thing that bothers me more than anything, and I really don’t care, is that we try to play the right way and we play our ass off, and then what happens to us is that AD never gets a call. He never gets a call. We talk about them holding him, we talk about them grabbing him on rolls, we talk about them coming under him on post-ups. He never gets the call. Not one. And you know why? Because he doesn’t b—- and complain about it. He just keeps playing the game.”It’s a fair point to consider. But this is also a perfect example of what Gentry’s job sometimes entails. Sometimes as a head coach, you have to take the pressure off your players. That’s what Gentry does here. But he wasn’t finished.“Call it both ways. When AD rolls to the basket and AD’s grabbed and he’s held, then give him the same call th18 Mar 2018 09:20:31 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/gentry_rips_official_in_loss_to_rockets/s1_11773_25974017
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/gentry_rips_official_in_loss_to_rockets/s1_11773_25974017Gentry rips official in loss to Rocketshttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/gentry_rips_official_in_loss_to_rockets/s1_11773_25974017http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/1/f1d2e50bb3387b57653072c9f43f5eb64e931c28/top_story/10709047.jpgTed Cruz: Unlike the Warriors, his Rockets will visit President Trump at the White HouseNot necessarily a native Texan, Senator Ted Cruz has adopted the state as his own. A senator since back in 2013, Cruz has made it known where his sports allegiances stand in the past. And to the surprise of really no one, it’s all about Texas for him.Obviously rooting for the Houston Rockets to win this year’s NBA championship, Cruz firmly believes the team would visit President Donald Trump at the White House.“To win it in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, when so many Houstonians, so many Texans, were hurting — it just meant an enormous amount,” Cruz told TMZ Sports. “”I think it is unfortunate that we’ve seen that happen … I’m hoping that this is the first of at least two Houston trips to the White House this year.”Cruz is referencing the Golden State Warriors’ decision to skip a White House visit after winning the title last June. It led to a ton of headlines and a major rift between POTUS and high-profile members of the Warriors.It’s not yet known whether the Rockets would accept an invite to meet with 17 Mar 2018 17:37:13 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/ted_cruz_unlike_the_warriors_his_rockets_will_visit_president_trump_at_the_white_house/s1_14810_25970663
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/ted_cruz_unlike_the_warriors_his_rockets_will_visit_president_trump_at_the_white_house/s1_14810_25970663Ted Cruz: Unlike the Warriors, his Rockets will visit President Trump at the White Househttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/ted_cruz_unlike_the_warriors_his_rockets_will_visit_president_trump_at_the_white_house/s1_14810_25970663http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/8/38a001056c0222618e4e05e3f993cb7f253344dd/top_story/9962016.jpgJazz GM ‘disappointed’ over lack of protection from refsUtah Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey was none too pleased about the lack of calls by the referees on Jared Dudley and Marquese Chriss on Thursday.Tempers flared during third quarter of the game between the Jazz and Phoenix Suns. After Utah inbounded the ball following a missed dunk by Chriss, Ricky Rubio was shoved by Dudley. He was then pushed to the floor by Chriss. Here’s a view from another angle, which includes the fracas that followed. Dudley and Chriss were both ejected, but their actions were enough to have Lindsey fuming. During a radio appearance on Friday, Lindsey expressed disappointment with the treatment of his players and lack of protection for them.“I’m tired, guys, to be honest with you. I didn’t sleep well last night after the two hits on Ricky…coupled with my wife’s snoring…so you’ll have to forgive me,” Lindsey told 1280 The Zone in Utah, via producer Austin Horton. “I’ve got an upset starting point guard, I’ve got an upset coach and reasonably so. Literally, when I say I didn’t sleep 17 Mar 2018 10:28:55 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/jazz_gm_disappointed_over_lack_of_protection_from_refs/s1_127_25967168
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/jazz_gm_disappointed_over_lack_of_protection_from_refs/s1_127_25967168Jazz GM ‘disappointed’ over lack of protection from refshttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/jazz_gm_disappointed_over_lack_of_protection_from_refs/s1_127_25967168http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/f/ef19ff963462bce45ac0dff6950aac6e9ddb4193/top_story/10709261.jpgAdam Silver updates progress of new playoff seeding proposalNBA commissioner Adam Silver recently espoused upon how seeding the playoffs in a 1-16 format, regardless of conference, could be in the offing. More than that, Silver suggested the NBA was giving “serious attention” to altering the current postseason format in such a manner.However, it would appear that despite Silver’s advocating for such a format, such a monumental change is not close to being realized. “We’re not ready to make a change yet,” Silver said during an appearance Thursday night on the Denver Nuggets radio network, via Sam Amico.Silver, perhaps one of the more open-minded commissioners in professional sports, nevertheless insisted the league will continue to research how to make it work, citing geographical issues and the resulting travel toll on teams currently sit as roadblocks.“We’re serious about looking at it. We’re far from a place where there’s a solution,” Silver said. “Of course it makes sense to seed teams 1-16 in the league but we have two conferences that are geographically apart.“… 17 Mar 2018 00:32:52 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/adam_silver_updates_progress_of_nbas_1_16_playoff_seeding_proposal/s1_8061_25961216
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/adam_silver_updates_progress_of_nbas_1_16_playoff_seeding_proposal/s1_8061_25961216Adam Silver updates progress of new playoff seeding proposalhttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/adam_silver_updates_progress_of_nbas_1_16_playoff_seeding_proposal/s1_8061_25961216http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/e/ee4f3d5551369ea3c34c1db7822a8a9ec6a02151/top_story/10545565.jpgAnthony Davis says he’s ‘forever indebted’ to the late Tom BensonAnthony Davis on Friday honored the memory of New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson, who passed away Thursday at the age of 90. The Pelicans drafted Davis with the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, which came only months after Benson, who also owned the New Orleans Saints, acquired the team. Davis in a tweet said he will be “forever indebted” to both Benson and the owner’s wife Gayle. “Mr. Benson has meant so much to this city & to my career in NOLA,” Davis wrote in the tweet. “Mr. B & his wife Gayle treated me like family since I arrived & I’m forever indebted to them for their kindness & generosity.”Davis also paid tribute to Benson during Thursday’s 98-93 loss to the San Antonio Spurs by inscribing “R.I.P. Mr. B.” on his sneakers. NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement Wednesday on behalf of the league in the wake of Benson’s passing.“The NBA family mourns the loss of New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson. Big-hearted and gracious, Tom topped off a distinguished business an16 Mar 2018 14:06:05 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/anthony_davis_says_hes_forever_indebted_to_the_late_tom_benson/s1_8061_25960805
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/anthony_davis_says_hes_forever_indebted_to_the_late_tom_benson/s1_8061_25960805Anthony Davis says he’s ‘forever indebted’ to the late Tom Bensonhttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/anthony_davis_says_hes_forever_indebted_to_the_late_tom_benson/s1_8061_25960805http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/6/16f2d5ce7e2787340e4bfc01959b36efdc98f761/top_story/10562704.jpgDanny Ainge says Kyrie Irving may need surgeryThe Boston Celtics need Kyrie Irving at 100 percent for the postseason. However, it looks like they are not going to get that. But that’s not all. Danny Ainge hints that Kyrie may need surgery at some point in the future.“He has some surgery that may need to happen. But maybe not this summer, maybe the following summer, or maybe the summer after that. I think that he could probably do it any time he wanted, but I’m not sure that it’s needed at this moment.”Of course, Ainge and the Celtics were well aware of Irving’s knee issues before trading for him.“That was a big part of it going forward. Kyrie had the injury, I don’t know, two-and-a-half years ago now, three years ago. So we knew that there would be maintenance issues. But his long-term prognostication is good. He’s going to have some maintenance issues here and there. We knew coming into this year that he probably wasn’t going to be an 82-game guy. He was going to be a 72-, 75-game guy in order to keep him fresh for the playoffs, and that’s what it’s bee15 Mar 2018 19:23:25 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/ainge_says_irving_may_need_surgery/s1_11773_25953848
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/ainge_says_irving_may_need_surgery/s1_11773_25953848Danny Ainge says Kyrie Irving may need surgeryhttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/ainge_says_irving_may_need_surgery/s1_11773_25953848http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/b/ab3a572a2e4a3701289f7837bf5982fc4fcbaf41/top_story/10702184.jpgDanny Ainge says Hayward suffered a setback in rehabBoston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge revealed in an interview Thursday on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich” show that Gordon Hayward recently suffered a setback in his rehabilitation. Ainge noted Hayward’s setback occurred approximately a month-and-a-half ago, adding it was caused by “progressing a little too fast” through rehab. Ainge added the setback is the reason why both he and Celtics head coach Brad Stevens have been adamant in recent weeks about tempering any expectations of Hayward returning this season. Ainge mentioned how Hayward still has a “ways to go” in reaching a full recovery from a gruesome injury suffered in an opening night loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 17 when Hayward suffered as dislocated ankle and fractured tibia. Perhaps the most ominous and concerning comments made by Ainge Thursday is how Hayward may require surgery in the coming offseasons, procedures he describes as part of an ongoing “maintenance” program. The Celtics obviously are char15 Mar 2018 12:24:56 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/danny_ainge_says_gordon_hayward_suffered_a_setback_in_rehab/s1_8061_25949165
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/danny_ainge_says_gordon_hayward_suffered_a_setback_in_rehab/s1_8061_25949165Danny Ainge says Hayward suffered a setback in rehabhttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/danny_ainge_says_gordon_hayward_suffered_a_setback_in_rehab/s1_8061_25949165http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/e/9e6c669aed91c1fb3042e20790805978bf735c0f/top_story/10386987.jpgClyde Drexler named BIG3 commissionerFormer Trail Blazers and Rockets star Clyde Drexler has been named the new commissioner of the BIG3 basketball league, according to a press release (via Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today). Drexler was involved with the league last season as the coach of BIG3 team Power.“Clyde is a consummate professional, revered businessman and indisputably one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball,” BIG3 co-founders and co-CEOs Jeff Kwatinetz and Ice Cube said in a statement. “We were thrilled to have his early support as a coach for our inaugural season and couldn’t be more pleased to welcome him to the executive team as BIG3 Commissioner.”Ice Cube had been serving as the BIG3’s interim commissioner following the dismissal of Roger Mason Jr., who was recently fired by the league. Reports indicated that an alleged corruption scandal was the reason for Mason’s ouster, though the former veteran guard issued a statement this week refuting that idea, and calling the BIG3 work environment “hostile and racist.” Dre15 Mar 2018 12:22:28 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/clyde_drexler_named_big3_commissioner/s1_14822_25948313
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/clyde_drexler_named_big3_commissioner/s1_14822_25948313Clyde Drexler named BIG3 commissionerhttp://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/clyde_drexler_named_big3_commissioner/s1_14822_25948313http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/b/5bc52196ce78fa57cfad3ff1205397dc379e7698/top_story/USATSI_10142076.jpg